Antinous [obverse]

probably 1500/1599

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture shows a profile relief of a young, male bust with wavy hair, facing left, surrounded by an inscription. The material seems to be bronze. The hair is depicted with flowing locks, and the face features a prominent nose and a slight smile. The shoulders and chest are shown with a smooth texture. The circular form of the sculpture suggests it may be a medal or coin-like representation.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 4.26 cm (1 11/16 in.)
    gross weight: 36.31 gr (0.08 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1111.a

Associated Artworks

The image displays a round sculpture resembling a medallion or coin with a mythological scene. The sculpture features a winged creature with the body of a horse being ridden by a muscular male figure holding a club or similar object. The sculpture is cast in a warm, bronze-brown metal, giving it an antique appearance. The outer edge of the sculpture is inscribed with Greek letters, and the details of the winged creature and rider show a high level of detail with a focus on muscle definition and wing feathers. The circular form and the raised figures create a dynamic relief against the smooth background.

Antinous on a Griffin [reverse]

Italian 16th Century

1500

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA.
[1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 516.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 589, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference in Greek:

Wikidata ID

Q63851242

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